The White House has released a photo taken during the controversial flyover of New York City last week.

(CNN) - Louis Caldera, the director of the White House Military Office who authorized the controversial Air Force One photo-op over New York City last week has resigned, the White House announced Thursday.

The White House has also released a photograph taken during the unannounced flyover that caused a brief panic in the city.

The President has accepted the resignation of Louis Caldera as Director of the White House Military Office. Attached is Mr. Caldera's resignation letter. Also attached is a report sought by the President and conducted by Jim Messina, deputy chief of staff, and a photo.

The President has asked his Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina and Defense Secretary Gates or his designee to jointly review the organizational structure of the White House Military Office and the reporting relationship of its components to the White House and the Air Force, and to make recommendations to him to ensure that such an incident never occurs again.

soundoff(234 Responses)

David in West Virginia

Mr. Caldera did the decent thing and resigned. That's more than can be said for the cronies of the Bush Administration who did a lot worse and never resigned. Mr. Caldera is a class act and shows the true character of a man and that is, accept responsibility. Now, if only the torturers of the Bush Administration would accept responsibility fort their crimes against America and humanity.

May 8, 2009 08:30 pm at 8:30 pm |

Walter

Photoshopped.

May 8, 2009 08:35 pm at 8:35 pm |

John Hoevel

They couldn't have created this photo in Photoshop? Leave it to the government to spend thousands of dollars to do something that could be accomplished with a few hundred.

May 8, 2009 08:38 pm at 8:38 pm |

Rob

Finally !
Now lets have the NYC people who were informed prior to the event and neglected to do nothing. Lets get these public service employees and elected officials that think they are not accountable to the people out of government !

May 8, 2009 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Mike in CA

I agree with the folks who think that we all need to get a grip and not act like Chicken Little. And to the guy who still thinks its funny or clever to call our President "Osama"...... Jesus man, I hope I never meet you in person.

May 8, 2009 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |

Susan

From what I read, the Mayor WAS notified, and chose not to let the city in on it...

May 8, 2009 08:55 pm at 8:55 pm |

Polly

911 was a terrible day.

May 8, 2009 08:56 pm at 8:56 pm |

MisterH

For those who don't know, there are TWO identical 747's that are designated "Air Force One" (when the President is on board). One was used for this photo op while the other was sitting at Andrews ready and waiting for the President to use if necessary. Mr. Obama need not be briefed every time the designated spare aircraft is flying so to insist that he had to know about the photo op is not plausible. That being said, while this may have been an error in judgement, I don't think the President should have accepted Caldera's resignation//MH

May 8, 2009 10:24 pm at 10:24 pm |

skyhawkdriver

Who's next to go??..give it time..this administration is a bunch of misfits and political cronies